OTTAWA, ON - Canada’s seafood farmers applaud the commitment of the federal government today to connect 98 per cent of Canadians across the country to high-speed Internet by 2026, with the goal of connecting all Canadians by 2030.
“Broadband access is very limited in the remote and coastal communities in which our members operate,” explains Tim Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA). “Canada has a tremendous opportunity in seafood farming to revitalize our rural coastal communities. We are happy to see this announcement today."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an investment of 750 million to help connect Canadians to high-speed Internet across the country, grow businesses, and create jobs. The additional funding brings the total amount of the Universal Broadband Fund, aimed at bringing high-speed internet to rural and remote areas, to $1.75-billion.
The call for broadband access and improvements for remote, coastal and indigenous communities was among the recommendations put forward in CAIA’s 2021 Pre-budget Consultation Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance.
In Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy 2040, CAIA and the Fisheries Council of Canada outline a vision to position Canada to be a global top three best sustainable fish and seafood producer by 2040. The vision includes three growth targets: Double the Value of Canadian Seafood, 2) Double Economic Benefits, and 3) Double Domestic Consumption of Fish and Seafood.
“Our sector is highly innovative and our technology platforms require high-speed connectivity to further innovation and sustainable practices,” said Kennedy. “Having broad connectivity is crucial and will help enable our industry towards future innovation and development. Moreover, it will support Canadian seafood farmers to produce the best, most sustainable seafood in the world while benefiting coastal and Indigenous families and communities."
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is the national association that speaks for Canada’s seafood farmers, representing their interests in Ottawa and internationally. CAIA members generate over $6 billion in economic activity, $2.45 billion in GDP, and employ over 25,000 Canadians delivering a healthy, growing and sustainable seafood farming sector in Canada.
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For more information please contact:
Sheri Beaulieu, sheri.beaulieu@aquaculture.ca
Twitter: @CDNaquaculture @TimJKennedy